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Alternative Energy Wind Generators

Mule

Platinum Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
1,520
Location
Texas
Okay....we have an ordinance but our ordinance pretty much eliminates just about every parcel within the city.

More or less our ordinance states:

1. No taller than height allowed in district.

2. CUP required for a taller wind generator.

3. Building permit required with:

a. Site plan required.

b. Elevations required.

c. Line drawings required.

d. Installation drawings required.

e. Letter from franchise electric company.

4. Min 40’ from primary structure on lot.

5. Setback from any property line = height of structure

6. 6’ fence for screening base of wind generator from adjacent properties

7. Sound no greater than 50 dBA during day and 35 dBA during night (10 pm – 7 am)

8. Engineer certification required.

9. Proof of insurance required.

10. Maintenance required.

Height in our districts are usually 35 ft.

Most wind generators say 80ft to 90ft prefered.

The bigger lots are 100 to 120 feet wide with about 90% being 60 to 75 feet wide.

#5 above kills just about ALL wind generators from making the cut!

My question...Is there any known documentation out there of failure of the wind generators. Is there a problem with these things failing/falling? I know there is always the possibility but I'm struggling to come up with some type of ordinance revision that I can have some justification to ease up on the set-back regulations.:banghd

I've even thought about maybe come up with something about using the distance to the residence as a set-back. That way at least if you have a deeper lot you may still be able to take advantage of this alternative source.

We are a suburban community majority of the lots are 60 to 75 feet wide. You guys have any ideas?

Thanks
 
We typically only see these on our larger Residential Estate & Agriculturally zoned lots, however small er versions have popped in newer subdivisions (neighbors aren't happy much). Heights have ranged from 30 feet to the 80-100 feet you mentioned. We have also seen smaller house mounted types installed. With our wind speeds, the falling distance is strictly enforced.

E. Wind energy conservation systems (WECS).

(1) The distance from all lot lines or any building or power line to any tower support base of

a WECS shall be equal to the sum of the tower height and the diameter of the rotor. A

reduction of this requirement may be granted as part of a special use permit approval if

the Planning Commission finds that the reduction is consistent with public health, safety

and welfare.

(2) The distance between the tower support bases of any two WECS shall be the minimum of

five rotor lengths, determined by the size of the largest rotor. A reduction of this

requirement may be granted as part of a special use permit approval if the Planning

Commission finds that the reduction does not impede the operation of either WECS.

(3) The WECS operation shall not interfere with radio, television, computer or other

electronic operations on adjacent properties.

(4) A fence six feet high with a locking gate shall be placed around any WECS tower base;

or the tower climbing apparatus shall begin no lower than 12 feet above ground.

(5) The WECS is exempt from the height restrictions of the base district.

(6) The property owner shall have 6 months to complete decommissioning of the WECS if

no electricity is generated for a continuous period of 12 months. Decommissioning shall

include removal of wind turbines, buildings, cabling, electrical components, roads, and

any other associated facilities down to 36 inches below grade. Disturbed earth shall be

graded and re-seeded, unless the Planning Director approves the landowner’s written

request to maintain the access roads and/or not restore the land surface to a native state.
 
just found out you can be cited for hooting and whistling while walking down the street...but back to the OP, noise restrictions could make it impossible to keep a WECS if your neighbors complain about the noise. Gotta love them ordinances we have the ole books.
 
The collapsed windmill in Fenner is right close by here. There are 30-some new units proposed for an adjacent town. People are mad, the new units are reportedly 500 feet tall. It's gotten to be quite a popular area for these things...
 
Thanks to all of you for your help. I've passed the information on the the city planner and we are looking at what we might be able to do.
 
A sloping height limit plane.

But on 75' lots, that's only going to word for front and rear setbacks.
 
Had a couple get hit by lighting near the family farm. These are the gigawatt variety. Lost control and a blade. The could not be braked, or turned out of the wind until serviced (some weeks). They tried to chain the blades (90 feet long each), but when the wind came up the chains broke. Low populated area, a few families in the miles around had to leave their homes.

Sound, yes you can possibly hear the swoosh swoosh swoosh, but jake braking is more an issue than that will ever be.

Bigger issue is Fog and strobing lights. If those are tall enough to require them, nothing light both day and night strobes going off simulataneous flashing the entire sky.

You want your electric eco cars, the electricity is coming from somewhere.
 
lunatick said:
Bigger issue is Fog and strobing lights. If those are tall enough to require them, nothing light both day and night strobes going off simulataneous flashing the entire sky.

You want your electric eco cars, the electricity is coming from somewhere.
I would imagine that you would same problem with cell phone towers, and the same answer.
 
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